Law firm takes pride in serving middle class

When Oregon attorney Billie Tarascio moved to Arizona in September 2009 for her husband's job, she brought part of her own job along as well.

While practicing in Oregon, she found success using a business model that emphasized "limited scope" legal services in which attorneys handle specific issues or tasks of a client's case per the client's request. Tarascio decided to make that the cornerstone of her downtown Mesa firm Tarascio & Del Vecchio, PLLC.

Tarascio, who is not yet licensed to practice in Arizona, partnered with Arizona attorney Allyson Del Vecchio with the desire to make legal services affordable and accessible to a larger population.

Although the firm deals in mostly family law, the economic conditions have brought on more bankruptcy, landlord-tenant and similar cases. The vast majority of these clients would never be able to afford the customary large retainer let alone $300-an-hour rates.

"It represented a tragedy and opportunity for any attorney who didn't like the traditional model," Tarascio said. "I knew when I moved here I wanted to do what I did (in Oregon). There are not many other attorneys who serve the middle class."

Limited scope allows clients to be part of their own legal team by completing tasks they think are doable and leaving the heavy lifting, such as making sure documents are prepared correctly or pivotal court appearances, to the professionals.

This means a client has control over how much work his attorney does and how much money he will spend. It also means that attorneys are in contact with clients more often and communicate on a deeper level than in traditional attorney-client relationships.

"We have hands-on, in-depth knowledge of their case. Clients have much more control," Del Vecchio said. "Now, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. You can take your budget and take the help you need and what you can afford."

Rates range from $99 to $129 an hour, depending on the years of experience and knowledge of the particular field the attorney has. There is a $500-$600 flat rate for trials.

The firm has also reached out to public organizations, such as the Arizona Coalition for Domestic Violence and Community Legal Services Inc., a not-for-profit firm that provides civil legal services for low-income residents.

Many people have not had done business with an attorney because they assume they are unable to afford one, Tarascio said. She wanted to make sure the underserved get representation.

"We're talking about basic fundamental needs that people aren't able to protect without legal means. It's a particular challenge to reach those people," Tarascio said.

Del Vecchio said knowing that the 700 clients that have walked through their doors have gained more knowledge and were empowered to help themselves reiterates the positive difference the firm is making.

"It's something we feel every day. We get to see every day how much we are helping people," she said.

Mesa resident Aaron Dailey sought Del Vecchio's help when the mother of his daughter moved to Texas with her and without Dailey's permission.

With him doing much of the paperwork, it took about six months and no more than about $1,000 for Dailey to enforce his rights and gain custody of his daughter, who currently lives with him.

Dailey, a customer services representative for a department store, would not have been able to afford a traditional attorney and said the journey to see his daughter again would have been an uphill battle without Del Vecchio.

"I wasn't sure what to expect at first. They say, 'You get what you pay for.' But they really do provide you with a high level of representation and take pride in their work like any law firm would," Dailey said.

Although the case is over, Dailey said Del Vecchio continues to check on him and his daughter to make sure everything is going OK.

Tarascio said specializing in limited-scope legal services is a trend that she expects to pick up as the economy continues to struggle and affect both potential clients and attorneys in a field where jobs have been reduced.

Although she may not be living the glossy opulent existence that many perceive attorneys to have, the structure gives Tarascio the opportunity to have a life outside of the office.

"In reality, the vast majority are not working in high rises and puling down hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. With two little boys, I knew that's not the life I wanted. Not a life I aspired to have," she said.

Del Vecchio agreed.

"I went to law school with interest in helping people," she said. "It's rewarding knowing what I do each day is helping someone in their daily life."